1
as in dual
consisting of two members or parts that are usually joined
the double-edged purpose of the sales promotion is to clear out existing stock and to attract new customers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ambiguous
having an often intentionally veiled or uncertain meaning
her double-edged remark that she hoped that I ultimately got what I deserved
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of double-edged
In the cognitive realm, artificial intelligence is similarly double-edged.
—
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Usually double-edged, the weapons were occasionally decorated with engraved patterns.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Among artists and intellectuals, technology has always been double-edged, utopian and dystopian.
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2023
Moran’s joke is double-edged.
—Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
Trending For Sohn, identity is double-edged.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2023
Nearly all executives and investors in this niche of neurotechnology acknowledge Musk’s impact on the field, though some say it is double-edged.
—Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023
Joshua Rothman, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2025
Putin boasts of Russia’s record-low 2.3% unemployment rate, but this sword is double-edged.
—Christian Edwards, CNN, 26 Jan. 2025
For Eisenberg’s film, the decision is double-edged: from the perspective of the characters, exceptional demands are placed on the dialogue to make their past come to life, but the dialogue isn’t sufficiently rich or imaginative to meet the challenge.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024
Usually double-edged, the weapons were occasionally decorated with engraved patterns.
—Sonja Anderson, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Mar. 2024
Among artists and intellectuals, technology has always been double-edged, utopian and dystopian.
—Jed Perl, The New York Review of Books, 27 Apr. 2023
Moran’s joke is double-edged.
—Giles Harvey, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023
Trending For Sohn, identity is double-edged.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2023
Nearly all executives and investors in this niche of neurotechnology acknowledge Musk’s impact on the field, though some say it is double-edged.
—Daniel Gilbert, Washington Post, 3 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for double-edged
Adjective
-
Geographic diversification and dual sourcing strategies are becoming essential, not only to mitigate geopolitical risks but also to ensure operational continuity during regional disruptions.—
Umesh Kumar Sharma,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The district recently added 25 electric school buses to their fleet and 14 power stations with dual chargers after a delay earlier in the year with the federal funding freeze.—
Harley Walls,
Arkansas Online,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The new legal landscape places greater responsibility on Congress to write less ambiguous statutes that more clearly recognize the different considerations—legal, scientific and policy—that go into writing effective rules.—
Susan E. Dudley,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
-
The book leaves off on a more ambiguous note, as Eleanor explains that she and Jamie weren't meant to be together.—
Caroline Blair,
People.com,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the space between binary judgments, complicated people leave complicated legacies.—
Ethan Bauer,
Rolling Stone,
3 Aug. 2025
-
Now, the most detailed image ever of the permanent jet blasting away from the more massive black hole, taken by a network of radio telescopes on Earth and in space, strongly supports the binary black hole model.—
Keith Cooper,
Space.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But the anticipation — and online speculation — spiked on Monday, after the star released a series of cryptic social media posts.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Prior to the announcement, the official Taylor Nation social media account—which is run by Swift's social media team—shared a cryptic post.—
Megan Cartwright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
But when the two leaders stepped up to the twin lecterns, Trump put his hand out to indicate Putin should speak first.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
16 Aug. 2025
-
But unlike those two phones, its twin telephoto optics share the same 1/1.28-inch sensor.—
Prakhar Khanna,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
His classical, sometimes obscure tastes contrasted with Pomeranz’s appreciation for Hollywood blockbusters, making their debates supremely entertaining as well as enlightening.—
Andrew McGowan,
Variety,
14 Aug. 2025
-
Some — like the emblem of the 101st Airborne and the 1st Cavalry — are easily recognizable but others are more obscure.—
Sal Pizarro,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Sydney Sweeney’s new dark crime comedy Americana is new in theaters this weekend.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
-
Inside, four bedrooms and three bathrooms are spread across roughly 2,600 square feet of single-level living space boasting dark hardwood floors and high ceilings dotted with skylights.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
14 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Double-edged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/double-edged. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share